We train ourselves to run the race of life. So we keep our eyes on Christ-the goal– and don’t get sidetracked or slowed down. When we do this, we will win a reward in Christ’s Kingdom. Just as we exercise to keep physically fit, we must also train ourselves to be spiritually fit. As our faith develops, we become better Christians, living in accordance with God’s will. Such a life will attract others to Christ and pay dividends in both this life and the next. The Christian life is a fight against evil forces from without and temptation from within. If we stay true to God through it all, He promises an end, a rest and a crown.
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Because of Christ’s sacrifice, the way to God is already open, and we can become His children simply by putting our faith in him. No longer trying to reach God by keeping rules, we can become more and more like Jesus as we live for him day by day. Let the Holy Spirit turn your eyes away from your own performance and toward Jesus. He will free you to serve him out of love and gratitude. This is “living in the Spirit.” Keeping the rules, laws and customs of Christianity doesn’t save us. We will willingly and lovingly seek to do God’s will (reference Romans 7).
The real children of Abraham are those who have faith, not those who keep the law. Abraham himself was saved by his Faith (Gen. 15:6). All believers in every age and from every nation share Abraham’s blessing. This is a comforting promise, a great heritage for us, and a solid foundation for living. (Deut.27:26) proves that the law cannot justify and save-it can only condemn. Breaking even one commandment brings a person under condemnation. And because everyone has broken the commandments, everyone stands condemned. The law can do nothing to reverse it. (Rom. 3:20-24). But Christ took the curse of the law upon himself when He hung on the cross. He did this so we wouldn’t have to bear our own punishment. The only condition is that we accept Christ’s death as the means to be saved. ( Colo. 1: 20-23)
We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4) Some people believed and taught that since God was a great forgiver and forgiveness was free, it didn’t matter what you did. In our baptism we were buried with Christ and died to sin. Of all people we should be attentive to our actions and reflect honor on God by our love for others. Our actions result from a joyful faith that dwells in our hearts and moves us to act righteously. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
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November 2022
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